More nosework questions.....

Ok, I've got Anne Lill Kvam's book and read a few chapters and am now starting step 1 - finding food.

Now, I want a way for Jin to know its sniffy time and was recommended to use a harness. I chose the ruffwear one as its quite unique but Jin doesn't really like it.

Should I;

A) Build up a positive association for the harness (such as Kikopups method) before using it for nose games

B) Persevere, playing only fun sniffing games in it

Or

C) Ditch the harness

If I dont use the harness, how should I let her know its time to sniff? The harness seemed the most reliable way (like police dogs etc).

I would probably change the harness, I cannot remember offhand what it looks like, but send me a link.

Many of the ones that appear to appeal to pet owners do not necessarily appeal to the dogs.

Alternatively you can just use a special collar reserved for this activity.

Or you can bring out a piece of equipment eg when tracking the pole tells the dog what they are going to do.

The following are examples of suitable harnesses particularly if you are considering tracking.

http://www.tilleyfarmshop.com/acatal...and_Leads.html
http://www.dog-and-bone.co.uk/shop/l...s.html#content
https://www.kumfi.com/index.php/onli...harness-detail

the harness i use is from dogstuff

have never intentionally built up positive association with the harness, however it is only put on when i do tracking, the dog picks up the cues

Yes the dog stuff tracking harness is of the design most of use for tracking.

http://dogstuff.co.uk/acatalog/Tracking_Harness.html

I bought my tracking harness from John Humphris. It is a cotton webbing one, but would really like a leather one at some point.

http://www.johnhumphris.com/proddeta...?prod=TS150000

the only thing i don't like about the nylon ones is when they are wet. as i worry they rub

used a nylon tracking line once, wasn't long before i got rid!

problem with cotton/nylon harnesses is a) they do not dry out quickly, need washing, and the metal fittings are often cheap and rust etc quickly.

They are fine for occasional use,

Ah ok, I'll try a harness change but Jin does dislike them. Even her flyball harness isnt met with a wagging tail and she LOVES flyball -.-

If she were to wear a scenting "collar", what would you recommend? I know she'd certainly be happier in a collar but no collar feels different like a harness does?

Wonder if she may like one of those leather harnesses. Thaty dont look to bulky.....

I'd prefer her wearing a harness because it'll keep the lead out of the way.

Hmmmm! Thanks so far!

If you are going to track your dog, then you can do so on a collar. However you would put the lead UNDERNEATH her so it goes between her front and back legs.

This is how a lot of dogs are tracked.

Alternatively there is the botcher harness, this attaches to the collar (underneath) and a strap that goes around the girth behind the ribs.

However, if you are inexperienced and the dog does not like harnesses then you may be better using a line and a collar (flat one or, if you use a full or half check, put the line on the DEAD link).